We recently connected with Justin Solomon and have shared our conversation below.

Justin, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

The first time I knew I wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path in life was around 4th or 5th grade. I had already been somewhat teaching myself to draw, but it wasn’t in the traditional sense of learning basic shapes, forms, contrast and color, etc. I was teaching myself to draw by essentially copying things that I saw and or interested me. There were two things in particular at the time; the anime series Dragon Ball Z and Yu-Gi-Oh! I was obsessed with both and would run through packs of copying paper drawing the characters. In elementary, and then middle school my classmates & teachers would notice and recommend that I take an after school art class and that would set me on the path of officially “learning” to draw. As I’ve gotten older, I often look back and feel so grateful that they had such a creative impact on younger me.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

For people who don’t know my story, I’m an artist and creator driven by a deep passion for using visual and narrative art to connect, reflect, and inspire. My specialty is the Black figure as the subject, whether it’s tied to a larger theme or standing as the primary focus. As I mentioned earlier, my journey into the creative world wasn’t marked by one defining moment; it’s been a series of personal awakenings. From a young age, I was drawn to the allure of pop culture: movies, video games, comic books, etc.

I got into this world of creativity simply because… I couldn’t not create. It’s always been how I process the world. Over time, I realized what I was making wasn’t just art, it was more so a bridge between inner experience and outer expression.

My current body of work includes one of one pieces, created both traditionally and digitally, with a focus on narrative-driven, original art. I work primarily in mixed media, ink-based works, and acrylic paintings, often exploring themes rooted in abstraction, emotion, and the sometimes unfiltered “realness” of life.

What sets my work apart is its intentionality and at times emotional depth. I put great care into the details, hoping to make the viewer not just look at the art, but feel something through it. My aim is to create pieces that evoke deep thoughts & emotions while pulling the viewer into a familiar or entirely new space.

What I’m most proud of is that I’ve stayed true to myself. I’ve built a creative life where I can explore and evolve without compromising who I am as a person and artist. When someone tells me, “This piece really spoke to me,” or “I understand what you were going for, because I feel it too,” it’s everything to me. That’s why I keep doing this. Anyone can make art, but making art that connects? That’s what I consider true artistry.

In the past few years, I’ve had the chance to show my work both locally in my home state of Louisiana and internationally. Most recently, my piece “I Am Not Alone” was featured in the You Aren’t Alone Project in Baton Rouge (a show centered around mental health awareness.) Another piece, “Wild Thoughts / Controlled Thoughts,” was awarded third place last summer in LSU’s “WILD” Summer Contemporary exhibition at the Glassell Gallery. My work has also been included in international digital exhibitions through The Holy Art Gallery, with features in both the UK and Italy. Each of these experiences has not only expanded the reach of my work but also strengthened my resolve to keep creating and inspiring. They’ve reminded me that what I make has the power to reach people in ways I never could have planned.

For those new to my work: know that everything I create is rooted in emotion, thought, and intention. It’s not just about expressing myself. it’s about giving you something you might need, like a feeling, a reminder, or a quiet moment to pause and reflect. Whether you add a piece of mine to your space or simply follow along through social media, my hope is that something I’ve created helps you feel a little more, or maybe feel inspired to make something of your own.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Yes. I think one of the hardest things for non creatives to grasp is that the creative journey isn’t the same for every creative and it’s often not practical in the way people expect most careers to be. There’s no clear path, no guarantees, and a lot of times no immediate validation. You can put your heart into something and still be met with silence or in today’s digital world “low engagement.” That can be really difficult for others to understand in a culture that often values constant productivity or financial return as the only way to measure if something is valuable.

Another thing people might not see is the emotional weight that comes with creating. It’s not just about making colorful/pretty things, it’s about looking within, self reflecting, being vulnerable, and constantly pushing through self-doubt. Which takes its own kind of energy in ways often unseen or misunderstood by others.

Also, there’s this misconception that creativity is a gift that flows out easily. Don’t get me wrong sometimes it does, but more often, it’s work. It’s trial and error. It’s staring at a blank page or canvas for hours on end and battling with the part of your brain telling you “it’s not good enough.” In those moments, you just have to push through and keep going. I’m not where I want to be 100% yet but I can’t and won’t give up. So to anyone out there feeling like giving up on their dreams, I say to you: don’t.

If there’s something I’d want people to take away, it’s this: being creative is not about being “special,” it’s about being willing. Willing to stay curious. Willing to be misunderstood. Willing to keep going even when no one’s watching which is in my opinion the most important part. “Art” isn’t just what people like myself do, it’s how we experience the world. And I think if more people gave themselves permission to embrace their own version of that, we’d all be a little freer.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding part of being an artist is seeing how people respond to my work. I love when someone brings their own meaning to a piece, or notices a not so obvious hidden detail I didn’t expect them to pick up on. That moment where they pause, reflect, or say, “This made me think, etc” for most artists I’d say that’s what makes it all worth it.

It’s not always about them understanding exactly what I meant, but about them engaging with it in their own way. I find that really interesting. Knowing that something I made can simply hold their attention is its own personal reward.

And honestly, I enjoy that art is open to interpretation. It doesn’t need to always be “explained.” Everyone sees something different, and honestly, that’s half the fun of being a creative.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://justinrsolomon.wixsite.com/artofjsolomon
• Instagram: @Trillovative
• Other: TikTok: Trillovative